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Ticketing warden was on yellow lines
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| Robin Swailes got a parking ticket in Jericho from a traffic warden parked on double yellow lines |
When father-of-four Robin Swailes spotted a traffic warden about to slap a ticket on his illegally-parked car, he was annoyed.
But his annoyance quickly turned to fury, when he realised the warden had also parked on double yellows in Canal Street, Jericho, to ticket him for the very same offence.
So, the married business director pulled out his camera and snapped the traffic warden parked on the double yellow lines in her Renault Scenic.
When she realised he had a camera, he claimed she told him taking pictures of her was against the Data Protection Act and ordered him to delete them.
According to Mr Swailes, when he refused to delete his photographs, she threatened to call the police before driving off.
Oxfordshire County Council, which is responsible for the enforcement of on-street parking, said traffic wardens were legally entitled to park on double yellow lines to enforce the rules.
Mr Swailes, a director of North Oxford Property Services, was prepared to accept being caught fair and square for the parking offence when he spotted the traffic warden looking at his black BMW about 8am on Thursday.
He said: "We rushed out and she hadn't actually issued a ticket. She was punching it into a machine.
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| The warden's car |
"My house is being refurbished and the plasterer pointed to the car and said 'she's parked on double yellows herself'.
"I didn't even know she had a car. She was parked on double yellows to give me a ticket. It was almost blocking the road. I think it's a cheek. It's ironic. I'm surprised they have a dispensation to commit the same offence that they fine the public for."
Mr Swailes, 42, admitted parking on the double yellow lines outside his house overnight - but said all the residents-only spaces had gone when he came back from work late and he had been about to move his car.
He said: "I was mad - absolutely mad."
A spokesman for the county council said: "Traffic wardens are legally allowed to park on double yellow lines in the course of their duty."
No one was available to comment on whether taking photographs of traffic wardens was against the Data Protection Act.
6:00am Saturday 3rd May 2008
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CommentPosted by: Ed Grundy, Ambridge on 6:25am Sat 3 May 08
Whilst I don't find the subject of this article it did make me laugh. Why? Well, how is Mr Swailes' age and how many children relevant? It's so cliche and only serves to pad out a story.
Whilst I don't find the subject of this article it did make me laugh. Why? Well, how is Mr Swailes' age and how many children relevant? It's so cliche and only serves to pad out a story.
Posted by: Jongo, Oxon on 8:50am Sat 3 May 08
I agree Ed.
But I suppose the warden jobsworth adopted the ' Don't do as I do, do as I say' which is the legislation of jobsworths. I suppose she had varicous viens so she needed her car to get about her patch more quickly than if she used 'Shanky's Pony' as they did in the old days that way she can ticket more! I wonder if she was insured to use it for business purposes!!!!
I agree Ed.
But I suppose the warden jobsworth adopted the ' Don't do as I do, do as I say' which is the legislation of jobsworths. I suppose she had varicous viens so she needed her car to get about her patch more quickly than if she used 'Shanky's Pony' as they did in the old days that way she can ticket more! I wonder if she was insured to use it for business purposes!!!!
Posted by: DanOxford on 8:59am Sat 3 May 08
I'm sure all the readers of the Oxford Mail will join me in digging deep in their pockets to help this BMW owning Yuppie who is property developing a house in gentrified Jericho so that neither he nor any of his four children will suffer as a result of breaking the law.
Tw*t.
I'm sure all the readers of the Oxford Mail will join me in digging deep in their pockets to help this BMW owning Yuppie who is property developing a house in gentrified Jericho so that neither he nor any of his four children will suffer as a result of breaking the law.
Tw*t.
Posted by: ivortheengine on 10:31am Sat 3 May 08
Take it on the chin. You know the rules and yet you chose to break them.
Take it on the chin. You know the rules and yet you chose to break them.
Posted by: Paul, Oxford on 11:22am Sat 3 May 08
What a whiner. You park illegally, you get a ticket. The OM seems to love these parking ticket 'stories' and prints lots of moaning letters from illegal parkers as well. Parking restrictions are there for a reason.
What a whiner. You park illegally, you get a ticket. The OM seems to love these parking ticket 'stories' and prints lots of moaning letters from illegal parkers as well. Parking restrictions are there for a reason.
Posted by: Andrew, Oxford on 3:45pm Sat 3 May 08
There is absolutely no way traffic enforcment officers should be driving around oxford. It is simply adding to the congestion.
Where an officer is incapable of walking a reasonable distance (say 3-4 miles) then they should be supplied with an battery powered invalid scooter to get around town.
There is absolutely no way traffic enforcment officers should be driving around oxford. It is simply adding to the congestion.
Where an officer is incapable of walking a reasonable distance (say 3-4 miles) then they should be supplied with an battery powered invalid scooter to get around town.
Posted by: humm, wootton on 4:40pm Sat 3 May 08
Could somebody explain to me why we have yellow lines,these are usually laid to keep areas clear for the purpose of traffic flow, well this cant be the case as we continually see A: Delivery/service/bui
lders vehicles B: Disabled badge holders C:any Emergency vehicle (fair enough),
D: traffic enforcement operatives. and probably a host of others, so this is effectively a way of keeping clear a perfectly usable Parking area for residents, the excuses from the councils/Police simply do not add up, they are either clearways or open for all, this is highway discrimation eventhough we all pay to use/upkeep the highways.
Could somebody explain to me why we have yellow lines,these are usually laid to keep areas clear for the purpose of traffic flow, well this cant be the case as we continually see A: Delivery/service/bui
lders vehicles B: Disabled badge holders C:any Emergency vehicle (fair enough),
D: traffic enforcement operatives. and probably a host of others, so this is effectively a way of keeping clear a perfectly usable Parking area for residents, the excuses from the councils/Police simply do not add up, they are either clearways or open for all, this is highway discrimation eventhough we all pay to use/upkeep the highways.
Posted by: oufc4life, Oxfordshire on 4:44pm Sat 3 May 08
Don't be so harsh,you saying you have NEVER parked on a double yellow line? I doubt it much so, but a Warden should set a example.
"Traffic wardens are legally allowed to park on double yellow lines in the course of their duty."-WHY? Always one rule for one, and one for another, what a load of tosh!
Don't be so harsh,you saying you have NEVER parked on a double yellow line? I doubt it much so, but a Warden should set a example.
"Traffic wardens are legally allowed to park on double yellow lines in the course of their duty."-WHY? Always one rule for one, and one for another, what a load of tosh!
Posted by: ricky, oxford on 7:51pm Sat 3 May 08
i chalenged one on a moped ,he said they are allowed to park on double yellows?
i chalenged one on a moped ,he said they are allowed to park on double yellows?
Posted by: Dilligaf, Hell's Gate on 5:37am Sun 4 May 08
From what I can deduce, Traffic Wardens are 'Employed' to prevent illegal parking, e.g. on Double Yellow Lines, to ensure there's sufficient access for Emergency vehicles etc., but they are allowed to park illegally 'in the course of their job', what total b******s.
Traffic Wardens should be made to carry out their job, either on foot, or on bicycles, and especially not in their own private cars, what's good for the Goose, is good for the Gander!
From what I can deduce, Traffic Wardens are 'Employed' to prevent illegal parking, e.g. on Double Yellow Lines, to ensure there's sufficient access for Emergency vehicles etc., but they are allowed to park illegally 'in the course of their job', what total b******s.
Traffic Wardens should be made to carry out their job, either on foot, or on bicycles, and especially not in their own private cars, what's good for the Goose, is good for the Gander!
Posted by: Tom, Oxford on 8:19am Sun 4 May 08
It says at the end that traffic wardens are allowed to park on double yellow lines during their work.
This is a non-story. That's two minutes of my life spent reading that I'll never get back.
It says at the end that traffic wardens are allowed to park on double yellow lines during their work.
This is a non-story. That's two minutes of my life spent reading that I'll never get back.
Posted by: cashcow, oxford on 2:14am Mon 5 May 08
My house is being refurbished and the plasterer pointed to the car and said 'she's parked on double yellows herself'.
Looks like a double whammy for you Mr Swailes - refurbishment - you can expect an increase in Council tax now as well.
There is a rumour that houses are for people to live in - of course they are not they are a source of income for the local council - a sort of buy to let to pay council workers pensions.
The fact that council workers are exempt from laws that apply to everyone else is of little surprise as they have a 'job to do' unlike the rest of the population who actually fund their odd ball schemes.
My house is being refurbished and the plasterer pointed to the car and said 'she's parked on double yellows herself'.
Looks like a double whammy for you Mr Swailes - refurbishment - you can expect an increase in Council tax now as well.
There is a rumour that houses are for people to live in - of course they are not they are a source of income for the local council - a sort of buy to let to pay council workers pensions.
The fact that council workers are exempt from laws that apply to everyone else is of little surprise as they have a 'job to do' unlike the rest of the population who actually fund their odd ball schemes.
Posted by: alfred the git, oxford on 12:02pm Mon 5 May 08
poppy
can,t you find something else to whinge about apart from the darkies.
it gets tedious after a while
poppy
can,t you find something else to whinge about apart from the darkies.
it gets tedious after a while
Posted by: Justin Walden, East Oxford on 2:17pm Fri 9 May 08
Sir
I refer to the letter "Ticketing warden was on yellow lines", Sat 3rd May 2008.
On my way home from work on Saturday 3rd May 2008, I saw a gent pull up in Leopold Street, and park on double yellow lines
When he got out of the vehicle, he was wearing a blue shirt with badges on his shoulders (said OX something)
I was convinced that this was a Parking Warden, however, he looked like he was off duty and went into one of the many takeaways on Cowley Road. It was about 18.00 hours (photo was taken at 18:06)
I took the photo to the parking wardens offices in Magdelen Road yesterday. Funnily enough the car was there too!!!
I am sure they will not take any action against this offence, even though he was not on duty!
Furthermore, how can the council allow parking wardens to park on double yellow lines to enforce parking laws. Surely they should lead by example, and enforce the law, not break it as well.
Just another load of bureaucratic rubbish that the UK laws and local governments has allowed.
Sir
I refer to the letter "Ticketing warden was on yellow lines", Sat 3rd May 2008.
On my way home from work on Saturday 3rd May 2008, I saw a gent pull up in Leopold Street, and park on double yellow lines
When he got out of the vehicle, he was wearing a blue shirt with badges on his shoulders (said OX something)
I was convinced that this was a Parking Warden, however, he looked like he was off duty and went into one of the many takeaways on Cowley Road. It was about 18.00 hours (photo was taken at 18:06)
I took the photo to the parking wardens offices in Magdelen Road yesterday. Funnily enough the car was there too!!!
I am sure they will not take any action against this offence, even though he was not on duty!
Furthermore, how can the council allow parking wardens to park on double yellow lines to enforce parking laws. Surely they should lead by example, and enforce the law, not break it as well.
Just another load of bureaucratic rubbish that the UK laws and local governments has allowed.
Posted by: Constable Hammer, On Patrol on 1:11am Sat 10 May 08
A spokesman for the county council said: "Traffic wardens are legally allowed to park on double yellow lines in the course of their duty."
I am not aware of any such legislation. Ambulance, Fire Brigade and Police vehicles are only allowed to park in restricted zones when there is an operational necessity to do so, this does not extend to traffic wardens private vehicles.
The vehicle in the phot also appears to be parked within 15 metres of a junction; that is a separate offence.
Also, as far as i am aware there is no law against photographing offenders. This evidence should be presented to Police to support a formal complaint. Parking close to junctions is classed as obstruction and is still a Police matter.
A spokesman for the county council said: "Traffic wardens are legally allowed to park on double yellow lines in the course of their duty."
I am not aware of any such legislation. Ambulance, Fire Brigade and Police vehicles are only allowed to park in restricted zones when there is an operational necessity to do so, this does not extend to traffic wardens private vehicles.
The vehicle in the phot also appears to be parked within 15 metres of a junction; that is a separate offence.
Also, as far as i am aware there is no law against photographing offenders. This evidence should be presented to Police to support a formal complaint. Parking close to junctions is classed as obstruction and is still a Police matter.
Posted by: JUSTIN WALDEN, EAST OXFORD on 12:25pm Wed 14 May 08
Just called the police.
Apparantly they are allowed to park on double yellow lines whilst issuing tickets.
However, I will be taking the matter further with the law of the off duty officer parking on double yellow lines.
Justin
Just called the police.
Apparantly they are allowed to park on double yellow lines whilst issuing tickets.
However, I will be taking the matter further with the law of the off duty officer parking on double yellow lines.
Justin
Posted by: Constable Hammer, On Patrol on 1:38am Thu 15 May 08
Justin, which Police station did you call? did you ask for the legislation that allows this? As I said previously, it'll be news to me if there is any.
Justin, which Police station did you call? did you ask for the legislation that allows this? As I said previously, it'll be news to me if there is any.
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